Georgia Historic Newspapers

    OLD SERIES—YOL. LIU!.
HEW SERIES—KOL XUVIII.
Chronicle anti Sentinel^
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 16,1874.
THIS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
To the exclusion of a great deal of
other matter, we publish this morning
the President’s Message to Con
gress as telegraphed to the Chboxiclk
ant> Sentinel. We procured its trans
mission to us specially that our readers
might be furnished as soon as possible
with this important dooument in full
In view of the present disastrous condi
tion of the country financially—the
stringency of money, the prostration of
trade and the paralysis of industries—
and of the recent remarkable revolution
which has taken place in political af
fairs, the message of President Grant
has been looked forward to with great
anxiety; for it was believed that the ut
teranees of the Executive would have
much to do with shaping financial legis
lation—the party of which he is the
head still retaining its large majority in
the present Congress—and framing the
future policy of the Republican organi
zation.
The President has given, as its im
portance demanded, the first place in
his message to the subject of finance. It
is evident that the present Congress will
be forced to decide between the conflict
ing theories of hard money and infla
tion. If the members were disposed to
wards non-action, trusting that trade
and commerce would adjnst themselves
without legislative interference, Gen.
Gkant is determined that such a pro
gramme shall not be c rried out. He is
strongly in favor of a return to specie
payments, believing that in resumption
will be found a panacea for all our finan
cial ailments. He recommends the re
peal of the legal tender act, to take
effect at a fixed date, and the pay
ment in coin on demand of all United
States currency outstanding. It will
be seen that the views of the President
and of the Secretary of the Treasury coin
cide on this subject. Both wish hard
pan and both agree upon even the details
of resumption. If Congress shall de
clare in favor of a return to specie, a
plan of resumption similar to that which
is proposed by the President and Mr.
Bristow will probably be adopted.
In treating of our foreign relations
the most significant portion of the mes
sage is that which speaks of Cuba and
the progress of the insurrection in that
unhappy island. It is plainly intimated
that the time has come for foreign inter
vention, in which, from the magnitude of
her commercial dealings ”ith the Island,
the United States must tako the lead.
It is evident that the President is in
favor of annexation and that he thinks
the pear ripe and ready to fall. In the
meantime it is somewhat mortifying to
oontrast the conduct of the United
States with that of Great Britain in re
lation to the Virginius, and to reflect
that while the former Government has
obtained ample reparation, the blood of
the Amerioan victims to Spanish oruelty
still goes unavenged.
Gen. Grant still attempts to mako his
active partisan interference with the af
fairs of Louisiana, his overthrow of the
legal government of that State and the
erection of a usurpation in its stead, ap
pear but the simple enforcement of a
law whoso provisions he was com
pelled to execute. The falsity of this
pretense has been so often and
effectually exposed that it needs no ad
ditional eomments at our hands. He
hastens to join in the now crusade against
the South which has been proclaimed
by the Radical leaders by repeating the
stale slanders manufactured Attor
ney-General Williams and the Depart
ment of Justice, aud by the suggestion
of more outrage committees and parti
san reports. While he has declined to
aid in the overthrow of the Arkansas
government his sympathies are evident
ly with usurpation in that State also.—
His idea of the power of conventions to
bind the people is either absurd, or else
this is a government by the people with
the people left out. We may expeot n j
vigorous effort, countenanced and sus
tained by tho Executive, during the
present session of Congress to put
Arkansas in the hands of Brooks and
his corrupt associates.
The recommeudation of the restora
tion to the pension rolls of Southern
swrvivors of the war of 1812 is a grace
ful act of justice, which, though small in
itself, will be fully appreciated by the
Southern people. Altogether the mess
age is much more moderate in sentiment
and language than we had expected
from Gen. Grant at this time.
RESTRICTIONS OF SUFFRAGE.
The letter of our Atlanta correspond
ent gives a novel view of the Convention
question. Ho says that there are those
who wish the holding of a Convention
postponed, in order that the colored
men may be disfranchised. We do not
think that day will ever come. The his
tory of the world shows that the right
to vote onoe given has neyer been taken
away. We do not see how tho colored
men can be deprived of the right to
vote unless tho same restriction be ap- ■
plied to the whites. The sooner the dis- j
•cussion of such absurdities oeases the
better.
JOURNALISM AS A BUSINESS.
In commenting ivpon the failure of a
newspaper manager, the St. Louis Olobe
tells a plain truth in the following
words: "The business of journalism
will continue to be an invitiDg field for
experiments to those who have a large
amount of money and a large amount of
egotism. A man who, having edited a
newspaper until he was forty, should ■
suddenly announce himself a lawyer, !
would be regarded as a fool by the legal j
profession; and yet we often hear of j
lawyers of forty making sudden preten- j
sions to journalism. There is an idea
that the business of editing requires no
_ apprenticeship; that editors come forth
from law offices and colleges fully armed
for the profession, like Pallas from the
brow of Jove. It is a mistake; there is
not in America to-day a single journalist
of national reputation who has not de
voted more time and more hard work to
his profession than, with equal fitness
and applicatson, would have made him
, a great lawyer or a good doctor. And
. yet ninety out of every hundred men
you meet on the street will hesitate
about carrying a hod or making a pair
of shoes, whereas, there will probably
not be one in the hundred who can't, ac
cording to his own judgment, edit any
newspaper in the country better than it
is edited, no matter in what manner or
by whom."
It Las been estimated that of 12,-
000,000 women in America 11,000,000
■wear calico dresses, more or less; that
the spirit of economy has, daring the
past year, induced them to forego one
dress a piece from their usual outlay ;
that the average calico dress contains
eleven yards, and that consequently
there has been a loss to the trade by
' this retrenchment of 121,000,000 yards.
This is nearly the entire produet of all
the mills of Massachusetts for a year.
The Beecher-Tilton case has been
postponed to Monday.
The Pittsburg puddlers are on a strike,
and four hundred furnaces are cold,
fifteen thousand men are idle.
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Vacant Judgeships,
i Washington, December 7. —The Pres
ident, in conversation to-day, said he
had three vacant district judgeships to
fill, namely, in Alabama, Arkansas and
Louisiana. It was probable he might
be successful in selecting a suitable ap
pointee for Alabama from that State,
but as to the other States there was
more difficulty, and he might, therefore,
be forced to appoint persons not now
resident in them. As to Arkansas, those
best fitted for the place were either in
favor of the Garland government or de
sired its total overthrow.
Our Royal Visitor.
An officer of the army or navy he said
would "bo appointed to look after the \
comfort of the KiDg of the Hawaiian Is- j
lands and suite during their sojourn in !
Washington. They will be located at a j
hotel, the Government paying the ex- 1
penses. The President will entertain j
the King at a state dinner in addition to |
the courtesies to be extended to him by j
the Secretary of Btate. This will be the I
first visit of a King to this country.
Bristow's Report.
Bristow in his report says the sinking
fund is over twenty millions behind.
The Secretary not only takes strong
ground in favor of specie payments, but
sets forth a definite plan for reaching
the same. He recommends the repeal
of the legal tender act at a fixed day, as
to contracts thereafter made at,d except
as to official salaries and ordinary ex
penditures of the Government under
existing appropriations. He recom
mends that authority be given for the
immediate issue of convertible bonds
bearing a low rate of interest. He asks
that a day may be fixed for resumption,
not more limited than three years—at
the end of that time the Secretary to be
authorized to raise gold by selling bonds
in such amounts as may beoome neces
sary from time to time to keep the
Treasury in condition to redeem green
backs as presented. He recommends
free banking as a part of his plan for re
sumption, but this branch of the subject
is -not elaborated. It is recommended
that fractional currency be replaced by
silver, and to accomplish this the Sec
retary desires to set all the mints at
work coining silver, and as rapidly as it
is produced tho fractional currency to
be recalled and destroyed, beginning
with the smallest denomination. The
Secretary also asks that coining gold be
made ns free in the United States as it is
in London, in order to prevent the ex
portation of bullion for coining. The,
Secretary does not regard the Treasury
Department as a proper place for the
adjudication of cotton cases. These are
for the most of complicated character
and require the taking of much evidence
and judicial investigation. He, there
fore, recommends that all cotton cases
be withdrawn at once from the jurisdic
tion of tho Treasury aud turned
over to the Courts. Great economy
is recommended in expenditures for
public buildings. The Secretary re
commends that Congress go over
appropriations and estimates for
these works with great oare, with a view
to reducing some and wholly suspending
others. He recommends that all veri
ties of Government notes, bonds and
stamps be made exclusively at the Trea
sury Department. Concerning Internal
Revenue the Secretary recommends that
the tax be taken off bank checks, watch
es, cosmetics and drugs, and, to meet
this loss, that an additional tax of ten
cents per gallon be imposed on whisky.
This will raise revenue a little greater
than is now received from the articles
enumerated. The practical workings of
putting tea and coffee on the free
list has been fully examined by the
Treasury Department, and carefully
prepared tables of prices in foreign
markets and prices to consumers for
periods subsequent to taking off the tax
show that while there has been a de
crease of revenue on this account the
removal.of the tax has simply added to
the price in foreign markets, aud has
not benefitted the consumer here in the
least. The Secretary recommends the
restoration of this tax.
Meeting of Congress.
The Senate and House assembled to
day, both quite full. The usual com
mittee was appointed to inform the
President of their readiness to hear from
him.
President’s Message—His Financial
Views—An Advocate of Hard-Pan—
How It is to be Brought About—For
eign Affairs—Condition of the South—
Louisiana and Arkansas—The De
partments. *
The President’s message was received
aud read to the two Houses as follows :
Executive Department, j
Washington, D. C., December 7,1874. (
To the Senate and House of Represen
tatives:
The Panic and its Results.
Since the convening of Congress one
year ago tho nation has undergone a
prostration in business and industries
such as has not been witnessed with us
for many years. Speculation as to the
causes for this prostration might be in
dulged in without profit, because as
many theories would be advanced as
there would be independent writers—
those who expressed their own views,
without borrowing. Upon the subject.
Without indulging in theories as to the
oanse of this prostration, therefore, I
will call your attention only to the fact
and to some plain questions as to which
it would seem there should be no disa
greement. During this prostration two
essential elements of prosperity have
been most abundant—labor and capital.
Both have been largely unemployed.
Where security has been undoubted
capital has been attainable at very mod
erate rates. Where labor has been
wanted it has been found in abundance
at cheap rates, compared with what the
necessaries and comforts of life could
be purchased with the wages demanded.
Two great elements of prosperity, there
fore, have not been denied us. A third ;
might be added : our soil and climate
are unequalled within the limits of any
contiguous territory under one nation
ality for their variety of products to
feed and clothe a people, and in
the amount of surplus to spare to feed
less favored people. Therefore, with these
facts in view, it seems to me that wise
statesmanship at this session of Con
gress would dictate legislation, ignoring
the past, directing in proper channels
these great elements ol prosperity to
any people. Debt—debt abroad—is the
only element that can, with a sound
currency, enter into our affairs to cause
any continued depression in the indus
tries and prosperity of our people. A
great conflict for national existence
made necessary, for temporary purposes,
the raising of large sums of money from
whatever source attainable. It made
necessary in the wisdom of Congress,
and I do not doubt their wisdom in the
premises regarding the necessity of the
times, to devise a system of national
currency which it proved to be impossible
i to keep on a par with the recognized
currency of the civilized world. This
i begot a spirit of speculation involving
| an extravagance and luxury uot required
i for the happiness or prosperity of a peo
’ pie, and involving, both directly and in
| directly, foreign indebtedness. The
currency, being of fluctuating value
and therefore unsafe to hold for legiti
i mate transactions requiring money, be
came a subject of speculation in itself.
! These two causes, however, have in
| volved us in a foreign indebtedness,
contracted in good faith by borrower
and lender, which should be paid in
coin and according to the bond agreed
upon when the debt was contracted—
gold or its equivalent. The good faith
■of the Government cannot be violated
towards creditors without national dis
grace.
The Remedy.
Bat our commerce should be encour-1
aged, American ship building and carry- i
iDg capacity inoraased, foreign markets !
sought for products of the soil and man- i
ufactories, to the end that we may be |
able to pay these debts. Where anew
market can be created for the sale)
of our products, either of the j
soil, the mine, or the manufactory, j
anew means is discovered of utilizing j
our idle capital and labor to the advau- j
tage of the whole people. But, in my
judgment, the first step towards accom
plishing this object is to secure a cur
rency of fixed stable value, a currency
good wherever civilization reigns—one
which if it becomes superabundant with
one people will find a •market with some
other—a currency which has as its basis
the labor necessary to produce it, which
will give to it its value. Gold and sil
ver are now the recognized mediums of
exchange the civilized world over, and
to this we should return with the least
practicable delay. In view of the
pledges of the American Congress, when
our present Legal tender system was
adopted and debt contracted, there
should be no delay, certainly no unne-
cessary delay, in fixing by legislation
a method by which we will return
ito specie. To the accomplishment
; of this end I invite your special atten
j tion. I believe, finally, that there can
be no prosperous and permanent revival
| of business and industries until a policy
; is adopted, with legislation to carry it
, out, looking to a return to a specie basis.
I It is easy to conceive that the debtor
; and speculative classes may think it of
value to them to make so-called money
abundant until they can throw a portion
of their burden upon others, but even
these, I believe, would be disappointed
in the result if a course should be pur
sued which will keep in doubt the value
of the legal tender medium of exchange.
A revival of productive industry is
needed by all classes, by none more than
the holders of property of whatever sort
with debts to liquidate from realization
upon its sale. But admitting that these
two classes of citizens are to be benefit
ed by expansion, would it be honest to
give it ? Would not the general loss be
too great to justify such relief? Would
it not be just as honest and prudent to
authorize each debtor to issue his own
legal tenders to the extent of his liabili
ties ? Than to do this would it not be
safer, for fear of over issues by un
scrupulous creditors, to say that all
debt obligations are obliterated in the
United States, and now we commence
anew, each possessing all he has at the
time free from incumbrance. These
propositions are too absurd to be enter
tained for a moment by thinking or
honest people, yet eveiy delay in prepara
tion for final resumption partakes of this
dishonesty and is only less in degree as
the hope is held out that a convenient
season will at last arrive for the good
work of redeeming our pledges to com
mence. It will never come, in my opin
ion,except by positive action byC|ongress
or by national disasters, which wiil de
stroy for a time, at least, the credit of
the individual and the State at large. A
sound currency might be reached, by
total bankruptcy and discredit of the
integrity of the nation and of individ
uals. I believe it is in the power of
Congress at this session to devise such
legislation as will renew confidence, re
vive all the industries, start us on a
career of prosperity to last for many
years, and to save the credit of the na
tion and of the people. Steps towards
the return to a specie basis are the great
requisites to this devoutly-to-be-sought
for end. There are others which I may
touch upon hereafter. A nation dealing
in a currency below that of specie in
value labors under two great disadvan
tages: First, having no use for the
world’s acknowledged mediums of ex
change, gold and silver. These are
driven out of the country because there
is no demand for their use. Second, the
medium of exchange in use being of a
fluctuating value, for after all it is only
worth just what it will purchase of gold
and silver, metals having an intrinsic
value just in proportion to the honest
labor it takes to produce them. A larger
margin must be allowed for profit by the
manufacturer and producer. It is months
from the date of production to the date
of realization. Interest upon capital
must be eharged, and risk of fluctuation
in the value of that which is to be re
ceived in payment added. Hence, high
prices acting as a protection to the for
eign producer, who receives nothing in
exchange for the products of his skill
aud labor except a currency good at a
stable value the world over. It seems to
me that nothing is clearer than that the
greater part of the burden of existing
prostration for the want of a sound
financial system falls ucon the working
man, who must, after all, produce the
wealth, and the salaried man who super
intends and conducts business. The
burden falls upon them in two ways : by
the deprivation of employment, and by
the decreased purchasing power of their
salaries. It is the duty of Congress to
devise the method of correcting the evils
which are acknowledged to exist, and
not mine. But I will venture to suggest
two or three things which seem to me as
absolutely necessary to a return to specie
payments. The first great requisite in a
return to prosperity is that the legal ten
der clause to the law, authorizing the issue
of currency by the National Govern
ment, should be repealed, to take effect
as to all contracts entered into
after a day fixed in the repealing
act—not to apply, however, to payments
of salaries by Government or for other
expenditures now provided by law to be
paid in currency, In the interval pend
ing between repeal and final resumption
provision should be made by which the
Secretary of the Treasury can obtain
gold as it may become necessary from
time to time from the date when specie
redemption commences. To this might
and should be added a revenue sufficient
ly in excess of expenses to insure an ac
cumulation of gold in the Treasury to
sustain redemption. I commend this
subject to your carefpl consideration,
believing that a favorable solution is at
tainable, and that if reached by this
Congress that the present and future
generations will ever gratefully remem
ber it as their deliverer from the thral
dom of evil and disgrace. With re
sumption free, banking may be au
thorized with safety, giving the full pro
tection to bill holders which they have
under existing laws. Indeed, I would
regard free banking as essential. It
would give proper elasticity to the cur
rency. As more currency should be re
quired for the transaction of legitimate
business, new banks would be started,
and in turn banks would wind up their
business when it was found that there
was a superabundance of currency. The
experience and judgment of the people
can best decide just how much curreney
it required for the transaction of the
business of the country. It is unsafe to
to leave the settlement of this question
to ■>, Congress, the Secretary of the
Treasury or the Executive. Congress
should make the regulations under which
banks may exist, but should not make
banking a monopoly by limiting the
amount cf redeemable paper currency
that shall be authorized. Such im
portance do I attach to this subject and
so earnestly do I commend it to your at
tention, that I give it prominenco by in
troducing it at the beginning of the
message.
Foreign Relation.
During the past year nothing has oc
curred to disturb the general friendly
and cordial relations of the United
States with other powers. The corres
pondence submitted herewith between
the Government and its diplomatic rep
resentatives, as also with there presenta
tives of other countries, shows a satis
factory condition of all questions be
tween the United States and the most of
those countries, and, with few excep
tions, to which reference is hereafter
made, the absence of any points of dif
ference to be adjusted. The notice di
rected by the resolution of Congress of
June 17, 1874, to be given to terminate
the Convention of July the 17th, 1858,
between the United States and Belgium,
has been given and the treaty wiil ac
cordingly terminate on the Ist day of
July, 1875. This Convention secured to
certain Belgian vessels entering the
ports of the United States exceptional
privileges which are not accorded to our
own vessels. The other features of the
Convention have proved satisfactory
aud have tended to the cultivation of
mutually beneficial commercial inter
course and friendly relations between
the two countries. I hope that negotia
tions which have been invited will re-
I suit in the celebration of another treaty
| which may tend to the interests of both
i countries.” Our relations with China
j continue to be friendly. During the
| past year the fears of hostilities
between China and Japan, growing
out of the landing of an armed
! force upon the Island of For-
mosa by the latter, has occasioned
uneasiness. It is earnestly hoped, how
ever, that the difficulties arising from
this cause will be adjusted, and that the
advance of civilization in these Empires
may not be retarded by a state of war.
In consequence of the part taken by
certain citizens of the United States in
this expedition, our representatives in
those countries have been instructed to
impress npon the Governments of China
and Japan the firm intention of this
country to maintain strict neutrality in
the event of hostilities, and to carefully
prevent any infraction of law on the
part of onr citizens. In connection with
this subject I call the attention of Con
gress to a generally conceded fact that
the great proportion of the Chinese im
migrants who come to onr shores do not
come voluntarily to make their homes
with ns and their labor productive of
general prosperity, bnt come nnder
contracts with head men, who own them
almost absolutely. In a worse form
does this apply to Chinese women.
Hardly a perceptible percentage of them
perform any honorable labor, bnt they
are brought for shameful purposes to
the disgrace of the communities where
settled, and to the great demoralization
of the youth of those localities. If this
evil practice can be legislated against it
will be my pleasure aa well as duty to
AUGUSTA', GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 16, 1874.
enforce any regulation to secure so de
sirable an end. It is hoped that nego
tiations between the Government
of *Japan and the treaty powers
looking to the further opening of
the Empire and to the removal
of various restrictions npon trade and
travel may soon produce the results de
sired t> which cannot fail to enure to the
benefit of all parties. Having on pre
vious occasions submitted to the con
sideration of Congress the propriety of
the release of the Japanese Government
from the further payment of the indem
nity under the Convention of October
22d, 1864, and as no action had been ta
ken thereon, it became my duty to re
gard the obligations of the Convention
.as in force, and as the other powers in
terested had received their portion of
the indemnity in full,the Minister of the
United States in Japan has, in behalf of
this Government, received the remainder
of the amount due to the United States
under the Convention of Simonseky. I
submit the propriety of applying the in
come of a part, if uot the whole, of this
fund to the {education in the Japanese
langaage of a number of yonng men, to
be under obligations to serve the United
States Government for a specified time
as interpreters at the Legation and the
Consulates in Japan. A limited number
of Japanese youths might, at the same
time, be educated in our own vernacular,
and mutual benefits would result to
both Governments. The importance of
having our own citizens competent and
familiar with the language of Japan, to
act as interpreters and in other capaci
ties connected with the Legation and
the Consulates in that country, cannot
readily be overestimated. The amount
awarded to the Government of Great
Britain by the Mixed Commission, or
ganized under the provisions of the
treaty of Washington in settlement of
the claims of British subjects arising
from acts committed between April 13th,
1861, and April 9th, 1865, became pay
able under the terms of the treaty within
the past year, and was paid upon the
21st day ol September, 1874. In this
connection I renew my recommendation,
made at the opening of the last session
of Congress, that a special court be
created to hear and determine all claims
of aliens against the United States aris
ing from acts committed against their
persons or property during the insurrec
tion. It appears equitable that oppor
tunity should be offered to citizens of
other States to present their claims, as
well as to those British subjects whose
claims were not admissable under the
late commission, to the early decision
of some competent tribunal. To this
end I recommend the necessary legisla
tion to organize a court to dispose of all
claims of aliens of the nature referred
to in an equitable and satisfactory man
ner, and to relieve Congress and the De
partments from the consideration of
these questions. The legislation neces
sary to extend to the colony of New
Foundland certain articles of the treaty
of Washington, of the Bth of May,
1871, having been had a protocol to that
effect, was Bigned in behalf of the United
States and of Great Britain on the
28th day of May last, and was
duly proclaimed on the following day.
A copy of the proclamation is submitted
herewith. A copy of the report of the
Commissioner appointed under the act
of March 19th, 1872, for surveying and
marking the boundary between the
United States and the British posses
sions from the Lake of the Woods to
summit of the Ilocky Mountains is here
with transmitted. I am happy to an
nounce that the field work of the com
mission has been completed, and the
entire line from the northwest corner of
the Lake of the Woods to the summit of
the Rocky Mountains has been run and
marked upon the surface of the earth.
It is believed that the amount remaining
unexpended of the appropriations made
at the last session of Congress will be
sufficient to complete the office work. I
recommend that the authority of Con
gress be given to the use of the unex
pended balance of the appropriation in
the completion of the work of the com
mission, hi making its report and pre
paring the necessary maps. The court
known as the Court of Commissioners
of Alabama Claims, created by an act of
Congress of the last session, has organiz
ed and commenced its work and it is to
be hoped that the claims admissible
under the provisions of the act may be
speedily ascertained and paid. It has
been deemed advisable to exercise the
discretion conferred upon the Executive
at the last session by accepting the con
ditions required by the Government of
Turkey for the privilege of allow
ing citizens of the United States
to hold* real estate in the for
mer country, and by assenting to a
certain change in the jurisdiction of
courts in the latter. A copy of the proc
lamation upon these subjects is herewith
communicated. There lias been no ma
terial change in our relations with the
independent States in this hemisphere,
which were formerly under the dominion
of Spain. Marauding on the frontiers
between Mexico and Texas still fre
quently takes place, despite the vigilance
of the civil and military authorities in
that quarter. The difficulty of checking
such trespasses along the course of a
river of such a length as the Rio Grande,
and so often fordable, is obvious. It
is hoped that the efforts of this Govern
ment will be seconded by those of Mex
ico to the effectual suppression of these
acts of wrong. From a report upon the
condition of the business before the
American-Mexican Joint Claims Com
mission, made by the agent on the part
of the United States, aud dated October
28, 1874, it appears that of the 1,017
claims filed on the part of citizens of the
United States, 483 had been finally de
cided, and 75 were in the hands of the
umpire, leaving 462 to be disposed of,
and of the 998 claims filed against the
United States, 726 had been finally de
cided, one was before the umpire and
271 remained to be disposed of.—
Since the date of such report other
claims have been disposed of, re
ducing somewhat the number still
pending, and others have been pass
ed upon by the arbitrators. It has be
come apparent, in view of these figures,
and of the fact that the work devolving
on the umpire is particularly laborious,
that the commission would be unable to
dispose of the entire number of claims
pending prior to the first day of Feb
ruary, 1875—the date fixed for its expi
ration. Negotiations are pending look
ing to the securing of the results of the
decisions which have been reached, and
to a further extension of the commision
for a limited time, which it is confident
ly hoped will suffice to bring all the
business now before it to a final close.
The strife in the Argentine Republic is
to be deplored, both on account of the
parties thereto, and from the probable
effects on the interests of those engaged
in the trade tq. that quarter, of whom
the United States are among the prin
cipal. As yet, so far as I am aware,
there has been no violation of our neu
trality rights, which, as well as our du
ties in that respect, it shall be my en
deavor to maintain and observe. It is
with regret I announce that no further
payment has been received from the
Government of Venezuela on account
cf awards in favor of citizens of the
United States. Hopes have been enter
tained that if that Republic could es
cape both foreign and civil war for a few
years its great national resources would
enable it to honor its obligations.
Though it is now understood to be atpeace
other with countries a serions insurrec
tion is reported to be in progress in an
important region of that Republic. This
may be taken advantage of as another
reason to delay the paymentof the dues
of our citizens. The deplorable strife
in Cuba continues without any marked
change in the relative advantages of the
contending forces. The insurrection
continues, but Spain has gained no su
periority. Six years of strife give to the
insurrection a significance which cannot
be denied. Its duration and the
tenacity of its adherents, together with
absence of manifested power of sup
pression on the part of Spain, cannot be
controverted and may make some posi
tive steps on the part of other powers a
matter of self necessity. I had confi
dently hoped at this time to be
: able to announce the arrangement
of some of the important ques
tions between this Government and
that of Spain, but the negotiations have
been protracted. The unhappy intes
tine dissensions of Spain command our
profound sympathy, and must be ac
cepted as perhaps a cause of some de
lay. An early settlement, in part at
least, of the questions between the Gov
ernments is hoped. In the meantime,
awaiting the results of immediately
pending negotiations, I defer a further
and fuller communication on the snbject
of the relations of this country and
Spain. I have again to call the atten
tion of Congress to the unsatisfactory
condition of the existing laws with refer
ence to expatriation and the elec
tion of nationality. Formerly, amid
> conflicting opinions and decisions, it
was difficult to exactly determine how
J far the doctrine of perpetual allegiance
was applicable to citizens of the United
States. Congress, by the act of the 27th
of July, 1868, asserted the abstract right
of expatriation as a fundamental prin
ciple of this Goverrtnent. Notwith
standing such assertion and the ne
cessity of frequent application of the
principle, no legislation has been
had defining what acts or formalities
shall work expatriation or when a
citizen shall be deemed to have re
nounced or to have lostghis citizenship.
The importance of snob definition is
obvious. The representatives of the
United States in foreign countries are
continually called uponfto lend their aid
and the protection of tqe United States
to persons concerning the good faith or
the reality of whose citizenship there is
at least great question. In some cases
the provisions of the treaties furnish
some guide, in others it seems left to the
person claiming the benefits of citizen
ship—while livingjin a for. ign country,
contributing in no manner to the per
formance of the duties of a citizen of
the United States, and without intention
at any time to return and undertake
those duties—to use the claims to citizen
ship of the United States simply as a
shield from the performance of the ob
ligations of a citizen elsewhere. The
status of children born of American
parents residing in a foreign country,
of American women who have married
aliens, of American citizens residing
abroad where such question is not re
gulated by treaty, are sources of fre
quent difficulty and discussion. Legisla
tion on these and similar questions, and
particularly defining when and under
what circumstances expatriation can be
accomplished, or is to be presumed, is
especially needed. In this connection I
earnestly call the attention of Congre.-s
to the difficulties arising from fraudu
lent naturalization. The United States
wisely, freely and liberally offers its cit
izenship to all who may come in good
faith to reside within its limits, on their
complying with certain prescribed rea
sonable and simple formalities and con
ditions. Among the highest duties of
the Government is that to afford firm,
efficient and equal protection to all its
citizens, whether native born or natural
ized. Care should be taken that a right
carrying with it such support from the
Government should not be fraudulently
obtained, and should be bestowed only
upon full proofs of a compliance with
the laws, and yet frequent instances are
brought to the attention of the Govern
ment of illegal and fraudulent natural
ization, and of the unauthorized use of
certificates thus improperly obtained.
In some cases the fraudulent character
of the naturalization has appeared on
the face of the certificate itself. In
others examination discloses that the
holder has not complied with the
law, and in others certificates have
been obtained where the persons hold
ing them not only were not entitled
to be naturalized, but had not even
been within the United States at the
time of the pretended naturalization.
Instances of each of these classes of
fraud are discovered at our Legations,
where the certificates of naturalization
are presented either for the purpose of
obtaining passports or in demanding the
protection of the Legation. When the
fraud is apparent on the face of such
certificates, they are taken up by the rep
resentatives of the Government and for
warded to the Department of State. But
even the record of the Court in which
the fraudulent naturalization occurred
remains, and duplicate certificates are
obtainable. Upon the presentation of
these for issue of passports or in de
manding protection of the Government,
the fraud some times escapes notice
and such certificates are not unfrequent
ly used in transactions of business,to the
deception and injury of innocent parties.
Without placing any additional obstacles
in the way of obtainment of citizenship
by tho worthy and well intentioned for
eigner who comes in good faith to cast
his lot with ours, I earnestly recom
mend further legislation to punish frau
dulent naturalization and to secure
the ready cancellation of the record
of every naturalization made in fraud.
Since my last annual message the ex
change has been made of the ratification
of reaties of extradition with Belgium,
Equador, Peru and Salvador, also of a
treaty of commerce and navigation with
Peru, and one of commerce and con
sular privileges with Salvador, all of
which have been duly proclaimed,as has
also a declaration with Russia with
reference to trade marks.
The Revenue.
The report of the Secretary of
the Treasury, which by law is
made directly to Congress and forms
no part of this message, will show
the receipts and expenditures of the
Government for the last fiscal year, the
amount received from each source of
revenue and the amount paid out for
eaoh of the departments of Govern
ment. It will be observed from this re
port the amount of receipts has
been but §234,488,230 for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, and
that for the current fiscal year tho esti
mated receipts over expenditures will
not much exceed nine millions of dol
lars. In view of the large national debt
existing and the obligation to add one
per cent, per annum to the sinking
fund, a sum amounting now to
over $34,000,000 per annum, I sub
mit whether the revenues should not
be increased or the expenditures dim
inished to reach this amount of
of surplus—not to pro ride for the sink
ing fund is a partial failure to comply
with the contracts and obligations of the
Government. At the last session of
Congress a very considerable reduction
was made in rates of taxation and in the
number of articles submitted to taxa
tion. The question may be asked
whether or not in some instances un
wisely. In connection with this subject,
too, I venture the opinion that the
means of collection of the revenue,
especially from imports, have been so
embarrassed by legislation as to make
it questionable whether or not large
amounts are not lost by failure to col
lect, to the direct loss of the Treasury
and to the prejudice of the interests of
honest importers and tax payers. The
Secretary of the Treasury in his report
favors legislation looking to an early re
turn to specie payments, thus support
ing views previously expressed in this
message. He also recommends economy
in appropriations; calls attention to the
loss of revenue from repealing the tax
on tea and coffee without benefit to the
consumer; recommends an increase of
ten cents a gallon on whisky, and further
that no modification be made in the
banking and currency bill passed at the
last session of Congress, unless modifi
fication should become necessary
by reason of the adoption of
measures for returning to specie pay
ments. In these recommendations I
cordially join. I would suggest to Con
gress the propriety of readjusting the
tariff so as to increase the revenue, and at
the same time decrease the number of
articles upon which duties are levied.
Those articles which enter into bur
manufactures, and are not produced at
home, it seems to me should be entered
free. Those articles of manufacture
which we oroduca a constituent part of
but do not produce the whole, that part
which we do not produce should enter
free also. I will instance fine wool dyes,
&c. These articles must be imported to
form a part of the manufacture of the
higher grades of woolen goods. Chemi
cals used as dyes, compounded in medi
cines and used in various ways in manu
factures, come under this class. The in
duction, free of duty, of such wools as
we do not produce, would stimulate the
manufacture of goods requiring the use
of those we do not produce, and, there
fore, would be a benefit to home produc
tion. There are many other articles en
tering into home manufactures which we
do not produce ourselves, the tariff up
on whioh increases the cost of producing
the manufactured article. All correc
tions in this regard are in the direction
of bringing labor and capital in harmony
with each other and of supplying one
of tho elements of prosperity so much
needed. The report of the Secretary of
War, herewith attached and forming a
part of this message, gives all the infor
mation concerning the operations, wants
and necessities of the army, and con
tains many suggestions and recommend
ations which I commend to your special
attention. There is no class'of Govern
ment employees who are harder worked
than the army officers and men; none
who perform their tasks more cheerfully
and efficiently, and under circumstances
of greater privations and hardships.
Legislation is desirable to render more
efficient this branch of the public ser
vice. All the recommendations of the
Secretary of War I regard as judicious,
and I especially commend to yonr atten
tion the following: The consolidation of
Government arsenals; the restoration
of mileage to officers traveling under
orders; the exemption of money re
ceived from the sale of subsistence
stores from being covered inte the
Treasury; the use of appropriations
for the purchase of subsistence stores
without waiting for the beginning
of the fiscal year for which the appro
priation is made; for additional appro
priations for the collection of the tor
pedo material; for increased appropria
tions for the manufacture of arms; for
relieving the various States from indebt
edness for arms charged to them during
the rebellion; for dropping officers from
the rolls of the army without trial for
the offense of drawing pay more than
once for the same period; for the dis
couragement of the plan to pay soldiers
by checks; and for the establishment of
U professorship of rhetorio and English
literature at West Point. The reasons
for these recommendations are obvious,
and are set forth sufficiently in the re
port attached. I also recommend that
the status of staff corps of the army be
fixed, where it has not already beA
done, so that promotions may be made
and vacancies filled as they occur in
each grade when reduced below the
number to be fixed by law. The neces
sity for such legislation is specially felt
now in the pay department. The num
ber of officers in that department is in
adequate to the performance of the du
ties required of them by law. The effi
ciency cf the navy has been largely in
creased during the last year. Under
the impulse of foreign complications
which threatened us at the commence
ment of the last session of Congress
most of onr efficient wooden ships were
put in condition for immediate service,
and the repairs of our ironclad fleet were
pushed with the utmost vigor. The
result is that most of these now are in
an effective state, and need only to be
manned and put in commission to go at
once into service. Some of the new
sloops authorized by Congress are al
ready in commission, and most of the
remainder are launched and wait only
the completion of their machinery to
enable them to take their places as part
of our effective force. Two iron torpedo
ships have been completed during the
last year, and four of our large double
turreted* iron clads are now- undergoing
repairs. When these are finished every
thing that is useful of our navy as now
authorized will be in condition for ser
vice, and with the advance in the science
of torpedo warfare the American navy,
comparatively small as it is, will be
found at any time powerful for the pur
poses of a peaceful nation. Much has
also been accomplished during the year
iD aid of science,- and to increase the
sum of general knowledge and further
the interests of commerce and civiliza
tion. Extensive and much needed
soundings have been made for hydro
graphic purposes, and to fix the proper
routes of ocean telegraphs. Further
surveys of the great Isthmus have been
undertaken anjl oompleted, and two ves
sels of the navy are now employed in
conjunction with those of England,
France, Germany and Russia in obser
vations connected with the tran
sit of Venus, so useful and
interesting to the scientific world. The
-estimate for this branch of the public
services do not differ materially from
those of last year. Those for the gen
eral support of the service being some
what less, and those for permanent im
provements at the various stations
rather larger than the corresponding es
timates made a yearjago. The regular
maintainence and a steady increase in
the efficiency of this important arm in
proportion to the growth of our mari
time incercoursee and interests,is recom
mended to the attention of Congress.
The use of the navy in time of peace
might be further utilized by direct au
thorization of *he employment of the
naval vessels in explorations and surveys
of the supposed navigable waters of
other nationalities on this continent,
and specially the tributaries of the two
great rivers of South- America, the
Oronoaca and the Amazon. Nothing
prevents under existing laws such ex
plorations, except that expenditures
must be made in such expeditions be
yond those usually provided for in the
appropriations. The field designated is
unquestionably one of interest and one
capable of large development of com
mercial interests advantageous to the
peoples reached, and to those who may
establish relations with them.
The Mails.
Education of the people entitled to
exercise the right of franchise I regard
essential to general prosperity every
where, and especially so in Bepublics
where birth, education or previous
conditions does not enter into ac
count in giving suffrage. Next
to the public school the post office
is the great agent of education. Over
our vast territory the rapidity with
which new sections are being settled,
thus increasing the carrying ot mails in
a more rapid ratio than the increase of
receipts is not alarming. The report of
the Postmaster-General herewith attach
ed shows there was an increase of
revenue in his department in 1873 over
the previous year of $1,674,411 and an
increase of cost of carrying the mails
and paying employees of $3,041,468 91.
The report of the Postmaster-General
gives interesting statistics of his depart
ment, compares them with the corres
ponding statistics of a year ago, showing
a growth in every branch of the depart
ment. A Postal Convention has been
concluded with new South Wales, an
exchange of postal cards established
with Switzerland and the negotiations
pending for several years past with
Prance have terminated in a convention
with that country, which went into effect
last August. An International Postal
Congress was convened in Berne,
Switzerland, in September last, at which
the United States was represented by
an officer of the Post Office Department
of much experience and qualification for
the position. A convention for the es
tablishment of an International Postal
Union was agreed upon and signed by
the delegates of the countries represent
ed, subject to the approval of the proper
authorities of these countries. I respect
fully direct your attention to the report
of the Postmaster-General and to his
suggestions in regard to an equitable
adjustment of the question of compen
sation to railroads for carrying the
mails.
The Condition of the South.
Your attention will be drawn to the
unsettled condition of affairs in some of
the Southern States. On the 14t,h of
September last the Governor of Louis
iana called upon me as provided by the
Constitution and laws of the United
States to aid in suppressing domestic
violence in that State. This call was
made in view of a proclamation issued
on that day by D. B. Penn, claiming
that he was elected Lieutenant-Governor
in 1872, and calling upon the militia of
the State to assemble and drive from
power the “usurpers,” as he designated
the officers of the State government.
On the next day I issued my proclama
tion commanding the insurgents to dis
perse withing five days from the date
thereof, and subsequently learned that
on that day they had taken forcible pos
session of the State House. Steps were
taken by me to support the existing and
recognized State government, bnt before
the expiration of the five days the in
surrectionary movement was practically
abandoned and the officers of the State
government, with minor exceptions, re
sumed their powers and duties. Con
sidering that the present State adminis
tration of Louisiana has been the only
government in that State for nearly two
years, that it has been tactily acknowl
ed and acquiesed in as such by Congress
and more than once expressly recog
nized by me, I regarded it as my
clear duty, when legally called upon
for that purpose, to prevent its
overthrow by an armed mob under pre
tense of fraud and irregularity in the
election of 1872. I have heretofore
called the attention of Congress to this
subject, stating that on account of the
frauds and forgeries committed at the
said election, and because it appears
that returns thereof were never legally
canvassed, it was impossible to tell
thereby who were chosen, but from the
best sources of information at my com
mand I have always believed the present
State officeer received a majority of the
legal votes actually cast at that election.
I repeat what I said in my special mess
age of February 23, 1872, that in the
event of no action of Congress. I must
continue to recognized the government
heretofore recognized by me. I regret
to say that with preparations for the
late election decided indications appear
ed in some localities in the Southern
States of a determination by acts of vio
lence and intimidation to deprive citi
zens of the freedom of the ballot because
of their political opinions, Banda of
men, masked and armed, made their ap
pearance. White Leagues and other
societies were formed. Large quanti
ties of arms and ammnnitic i were im
ported and distributed to these organi
zations. Military drills, with menacing
demonstrations, were held and with all
these murders enough were committed to
spread terrer arneug these wkeee politi
cal aotion was to be suppressed, if
possible, by these intolerant and
criminal proceedings. In some places
oolored laborers were compelled to
vote according to the wishes of
their employers under threats of
discharge if they acted otherwise, and
there are too many instances in which,
when these threats were disregarded,
they were romorsely executed by those
who made them. 1 understand that the
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution
was made to prevent this and a like
state of things and the act of May 31st,
with amendments, was passed to enforce
its provisions—the aim of both being to
guarantee to aU citizens the right to
vote and protect them in the free enjoy
ment of that right. Enjoined by the
Constitution (to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed), and convinced
by undoubted evidence that violations
of said act had been committed and that
widespread and flagrant disregard of it
was contemplated, the proper officers
were instructed to prosecute the offend
ers, and troops were stationed at con
venient points to aid these officers if
necessary in the performance of their
official duties. Complaints are made of
this interference by Federal authority,
bnt.if said amendment and act do not
provide for such interference under the
circumstances as above stated, then
they are without meaning, force or effect,
and the whole scheme of colored en
franchisement is worse than mockery
and little better than a crime. Possi
bly Congress may find it due to truth
and justice to ascertain by means of a
committee whether the alleged wrongs
to colored citizens for political
purposes are real or the reports thereof
were manufactured for the occa
sion. The whole number of troops in
the States of Louisiana, Alabama, Geor
gia, Florida, South Carolina, North Car
olina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas,
Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia, at
the time of the election, was 40,802.
This embraces the garrisons of all the
forts from the Delaware to the Gulf of
Mexico. Another trouble has arisen in
Arkansas. Article 13 of the Constitu
tion of that State (which was adopted in
1868, and upon the approval of which
by act of Congress the State was restored
to representation as one of tho States of
the Union) provides in effect that before
amendments proposed to this Constitu
tion shall become a part thereof they
shall be passed by two successive assem
blies and then submitted to and ratified
by a majority of the electors of the
State voting thereon. On the 11th May,
1874, tho Governor convened an extra
session of the General Assembly of the
State, which, on the 18th of the same
month passed an act providing for a
convention to frame anew Constitution.
Pursuant to his act, and at an election
held on the 30th June, 1874, the Con
vention was approved and delegates were
chosen thereto, who assembled on the
14th of last July, and formed anew
Constitution, the schedule of which pro
vided for the election of an entire new
set of State officers in a mannercontrary
to the then existing election laws of the
State. On the 13th October, 1874, this
Constitution, as therein provided, was
submitted to the people for their ap
proval or rejection, and, according
to the election returns, it was ap
proved by a large majority of
those qualified to vote thereon, and
at the same election persons were chosen
to fill all State, county and township
offices. The Governor elected in 1872
for the term of four years turned over
his office to the Governor chosen under
the new Constitution, whereupon the
Lieutenant-Governor, also elected in
1872 for a term of four years, claiming
to act as Governor, and allaying that said
proceedings, by which the new Consti
tution was made and anew set of officers
elected, were unconstitutional, illegal
and void, called upon me as provid
ed in section 4, article 4 of the Constitu
tion, to protect the State against domes
tic violence. As Congress is now inves
tigating the political affairs of Arkansas
I have declined to interfere. The whole
subject of Executive interference with
affairs of a State is repugnant to public
opinion. The feeling of those who from
their official capacity must be used in
such interposition, and to him or those
who must direct, unless most clearly on
the side of law, such interference be
comes a crime, and with the law to sup
port it, is condemned without a hearing.
I desire, therefore, that all necessity for
Executive direction in local affairs may
become unnecessary and obsolete. I
invite the attention not of Congress but
of the people of the United States to
the causes and effects of these unhappy
questions. Is there not a disposition on
one side to magnify wrong and outrages
and on the other side to belittle them or
justify them? If .public opinion could
be directed to a correct survey of what it
is and to rebuking wrong and aiding the
proper authorities in punishing it, a
better state of feeling would be incul
cated, and the sooner we would have
that peace which would leave the States
free indeed to regulate their own domes
tic affairs. I believe, on the part of our
citizens of the Southern States, the bet
ter part of them, there is a disposition
to be law-abiding and to do no violence
either to individuals or to the laws exist
ing. But do they do right in ignoring
the existence of violence and bloodshed
in resistance to constituted authority ?
I sympathize with their prostrate condi
tion and would do all in my power to
relieve them, acknowledging that in
some instances they have had most try
ing governments to live under and very
oppressed ones in the way of taxation
for nominal improvements, not giving
benefits equal to the hardships imposed.
But can they proclaim themselves en
tirely irresponsible for this condition ?
They cannot. Violence has been ram
pant in some localities, and has either
been justified or denied by those who
could have prevented it. The theory is
even raised that there is to be no further
interference on the part of the General
Government to protect citizens within a
State where the State authorities fail to
give protection. This is a great mistake.
While I remain Executive all the laws
of Congress and the provisions of the
Constitution, including the recent
amendments added thereto, will be en
forced with rigor, but with regret that
they should have added one jot or
tittle to Executive duties or powers.
Let there be fairness in the discussion
of Southern questions, the advocates of
both or all political parties giving
honest, truthful reports of occurrences,
condemning the wrong and upholding
the right, and soon all will be well. Un
der existing conditions the negro votes
the Republican ticket because he knows
his friends are of that party. Many a
good citizen votes the opposition ticket,
not because he agrees with the great
principles of state which separate par
ties, but because generally he is opposed
to negro rule. This is a most delusive
cry. Treat the negro as a citizen and a
voter, as he is, and must remain, and
soon parties will divide, not on the color
line, but on principles. Then we shall
have no complaint of sectional interfer
ence. The report of the Attorney-Gen
eral contains valuable recommendations
relating to the administration of justice
in the Courts of the United States, to
which I invite your attention. I re
spectfully suggest to Congress the pro
priety of increasing the number of judi
cial districts in the Uniied States to
eleven, the present number being nine,
and the creation of two additional judge
ships. The territory to be traversed by
tho Circuit Jndges is so great and the
business of the Courts so steadily in
creasing that it is growing more and
more impossible for them to keep up
with the business requiring their atten
tion. Whether this would involve the
necessity of adding two more Justices
of the Supreme Court to the present
number, I submit to the judgment of
Congress.
The Indian Peace Policy.
The attention of Congress is invited
to report of the Secretary of the Inte
rior, and to the legislation asked for by
him. The domestic interests of the peo
ple are more intimately connected with
this department than with either of the
other departments of the Government.
Its duties have been added to from time
to time until they have become so oner
ous that withont the most perfect sys
tem and order, it will be impossible for
any Secretary of the Interior to keep
trace of all official transactions having
his sanction and done in his name, and
for which he is held personally responsi
ble. The policy adopted for the man
agement of Indian affairs, known -as the
“peace policy," has been adhered to
with the most beneficial results. It is
confidently hoped that a few years will
relieve our frontier from danger of In
dian depredations. Z commend the re
commendation of the Secretary for the
extension of the homestead laws to the
Indians, and for some sort of territorial
government for the Indian Territory. A
great majority of the Indians occupying
this territory are believed yet to be in
capable of maintaining their rights
agaiast the mere civilized aad en
lightened white man. Any territorial
form of government given them, there
fore, should protect them in their homes
and property for a period of at least
twenty years, and before its final adop
tion shonld be ratified by a majority of
those effected. The report of the Sec
retary of the Interior, herewith attach
ed, gives much interesting statistical in
formation, which I abstain from giving
an abstract of, but refer you to the re
port itself. ' The act of Congress pro
viding the oath which pensioners must
subscribe to before drawing their pen
sions cuts off from this bounty a few
survivors of the war of 1812, residing in
the Southern States. I recommend the
restoration of this bounty to all such.
The number of persons whose names
would thus be restored to the list of
pensioners is not large. They are all
old persons, who could have taken no
part in the rebellion, and the services
for which they were awarded their pen
sions was in defense of the whole coun
try.
The Centennial.
The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture, herewith, contains sugges
tions of much interest to the general
public, and refers to the approaching
Centennial and the part his department
is ready to take in it. I feel that the
nation at large is interested in having
this exposition a success, and commend
to Congress such action as will secure a
greater general interest in it. Already
many foreign nations have signified
their intention to be represented at it,
and it may be expeoted that every civ
ilized nation will be represented.
Civil Service.
The rules adopted to improve the
Civil Service of the Government have
been adhered to as closely as has been
practicable with the opposition with
which they meet. The effect, I believe,
has been benfioial on the whole, and
has tended to the elevation of the ser
vice, but it is impracticable to maintain
them without tfie direct and positive
support of Congress. Generally the
support which this reform receives is
from those who give it their support
only to find fault when the rules are appa
rently departed from. Removals from
office without preferring charges against
parties removed are frequently cited as
departures from the rules adopted, and
the retention of those against whom
charges are made by irresponsible per
sons and without good grounds is also
often condemned as a violation of them.
Under these circumstances, therefore, I
announce that if Congress adjourns
withont positive legislation on the sub
ject of Civil Service Reform I will regard
such Action as a disapproval of the sys
tem, and will abandon it except so for
as to. require examinations for certain
appointees to determine their fitness,
and competive examinations will be
abandoned. The gentlemen who have
given their services without compensa
tion as members of the board to devise
rules and regulations for the govern
ment of the Civil Service to the country
have shown much zeal and earnestness
in their work, and to them as well as
to myself it will be a source of mortifi
cation if it is thrown away. But I re
peat that it is impossible to carry this
system to a successful issue without
general approval and assistance and a
positive law to support it.
Capital and Labor.
I have stated that three elements of
prosperity to the nation—capital, labor,
skilled and unskilled, and products of
the soil—remain with us. To direct the
employment of these is a problem de
serving the most serious attention of
Congress. If employment can be given
to ail the labor offering itself prosperity
necessarily follows I have expressed
the opinion and repeat it, that the first
requisite to the accomplishment of this
end is the substitution of a sound cur
rency in place of one of a fluctuating
value. This secured there are many in
terests that might be fostered to the
great profit of both labor and capital.—
How to induce capital tojemploy labor is
the question. The subject of cheap
transportation has occupied the atten
tion of Congress. Much new light on this
question will, without doubt, be
given by the committee appointed
by the last Congress to investigate and
report. A revival of ship building, and
particularly of iron steamship building,
is of vast importance to our national
prosperity. The United States is now
paying over one hundred millions per
annum for freights and passage on for
eign ships, to be carried abroad and ex
pended in the employment and support
of other peoples. Beyond a fair per
centage of what should go to foreign
vessels, estimating the tonnage and trav
el of each respectively; it is to be re
gretted that this disparity in the carry
ing trade exists, and to correct it I would
be willing to see a great departure from
the usual Course of the Government in
supporting what might usually be termed
private enterprise. I would not sug
gest as a remedy direct subsidy to Amer
ican steamship lines, but I would sug
gest the direct offer of ample compensa
tion for carrying the mails between the
Atlantic seaboard cities And the Conti-*
nental on American owned and Ameri
can built steamers, and would extend
this liberality to vessels carrying the
mails to go to American States and to
Central America and Mexico, and would
pursue the same policy from our Pacifio
seaports to foreign ports on the Pacific.
It might be demanded that vessels built
for this service should come np to a
standard fixed by legislation in tonnage,
speed and all other qualities looking to
the possibility of the Government requir
ing them at some time for war purposes.
The right, also, of taking possession of
them in such an emergency should be
guarded. I offer these suggestions be
lieving them worthy of consideration in
all seriousness, affecting all sections and
all interests alike. If anything better
can be done to direct the country into a
coarse of general prosperity, no one will
be more ready than I to second the plan.
Tho District of Columbia.
Forwarded herewith will be found the
report of the Commissioners appointed
under an act of Congress, approved Jhne
20th, 1874, to wind up the affairs Of the
District government. It will be seen
from the report that the net debt of the
District of Columbia, less securities on
hand and available, is : Bonded debt
issued prior to July Ist, 1874, $8,883,-
940 43; the sixty-five bonds, by act of
Congress of June 20, 1874, are $2,088,-
168 73 ; certificates of the board of audit,
$4,770,558 45; total, $15,742,667 61; less
special improvement assessments charge
able to private property in excess of any
demand against such assessments $1,614,-
054 37; less Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
bonds, $75,000, and Washington and
Alexandria Railroad bonds, $59,000. In
the hands of the commissioners of the
sinking fund, $1,748,054 37; leaving
the actual debt less paid assets, $13,-
994,613 24. In addition to this there are
claims preferred against the govern
ment of the District amounting in the
estimated aggregate reported by the
Board of Audit to $3,141,787 48, of
which the greater part will probably bo
rejected. This snm can with no more
propriety be included in the debt ac
count of the District government than
can the thousands of claims against the
General Government be included as a
portion of the national debt; but the ag
gregate sum thus stated includes some
thing more than the funded debt charge
able exclusively to the District of Co
lumbia. The act of Congress of Jane
20,1874, contemplates an apportionment
between the United States Government
and the District of Columbia in respect
to the payment of the principal and in
terest of the three sixty five bonds.—
Therefore, in computing with precision
the bonded debt of the District the ag
gregate sums above stated as respects
the three sixty-five bonds now issue.!,
the outstanding certificates of the Board
of Audit and the unadjusted claims
pending before that Board should be
reduced to the extent of the amount
to be apportioned to the United States
Government in the manner indicated
in the act of Congress of June 20th,
1874. I especially invite your attention
to the recommendations of the Commis
sioners of the Sinking Fund relative to
the ambiguity of the act of June 20th,
1874. With regard to the interest on
the District bonds, and the consolida
tion of the indebtedness of the District,
I feel much indebted to the gentlemen
who consented to leave their private af
fairs and come from a distance to attend
to the business of this District, and for
the able and satisfactory manner in
which it has been conducted. I am
sure their services will be equally appre
ciated by the entire country. It will
be seen from the accompanying full re
port of the Board of Health that the
sanitary condition of the District is very
satisfactory. In my opinion the Dis
trict of Columbia should be regarded as
the grounds of the National Capital, in
which the entire people are interested. I
do not allude to this to urge generous ap
propropriations to the District, but to
draw Ike attention ef Congress in fram-
NUMBER 50.
ing a law for the government of the
District to the magnificent scale on
which the cjty was planned by the
founders of the’Government, the manner
in which, for ornamental purposes, the
reservation, streets and avenues were
laid out, and the proportion of the prop
erty actually possessed by the General
Government. I think the proportion of
the expenses of the Government and im
provements to be borne by the General
Government, the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown and the county
should be carefully and equitably de
fined. In accordance with Section 3,
Act approved June 23d, 1874,1 appointed
a Board to make a survey of the mouth
of the Mississippi river, with a view to
determine the best method of obtain
ing and maintaining a depth oi
water sufficient for the purposes
of commerce, etc., and in accordance
with an act entitled “an act to provide
for the appointment of a Commission of
Engineers to investigate and report a
permanent plan for the reclamation of
the alluvial basin of the Mississippi
river subject to inundation,” I appoint
ed a Commission of Engineers. Neither
board has yet oompleted its labors.
When their reports are received they
will be forwarded to Congress without
delay. U. S. Grant.
In the Senate, the bill for the bettei
government of the District of Colom
bia was reported by Senator Morrill, of
Maine, from the Joint Select Com
mittee appointed for that purpose by
Congress at its last session. It pro
vides that a department shall be created
in the Government of the United States,
to be called the Department of the Dis
trict of Columbia; that it shall have a
corporate capacity; it is to be headed by
a board of three regents to be appointed
by the President and confirmed by the
Senate and to the removal by the Presi
dedt at any time for cause.
In the House 238 of 301 members
are present. Three new members were
seated, Chittenden and Schell, of New
York, and Carpenter, hailing from South
Carolina.
Phelps asked unanimous consent to
introduce a bill repealing the newspaper
gag law. Hall, of New York, objected.
Garfield, from the Committee on Ap
propriations, reported the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill, which was made the special order
for Tuesday next. 'Hale, of Maine, from
the same committee, reported the naval
appropriation bill, which was made the
special order for Wednesday next. —
Wheeler, from the same committee, re
ported the army appropriation bill,
which was made the speoial order
for Thursday next. Mr. Lough
ridge, from the same committee,
reported the Indian appropriation
bill, which was made the special order
for Friday next. Mr. Starkweather,
from the same committee, reported the
fortification bill, which was made,the
speoial order for Tuesday, 22d of De
cember. The amount of money appro
priated by these several bills is as fol
lows : Legislative bill, $19,655,434 ; navy,
$16,976,006; army, $27,201,500; Indian,
$4,861,507 ; fortifications, $850,000. Mr.
Tyner, of Indiana, from the same com
mittee, reported a bill appropriating
$30,000 for the purchase of scales for the
use of the Post Office Department in
executing the law requiring prepayment
of postage on newspapers. Mr. Cox, of
New York, wanted to offer an amend
ment excepting from the operation of
the law cases where subscriptions were
taken prior to Ist of January, 1875, and
allowing to postpone in those cases and
to be paid at the place of destination.
Mr. Tyner deolined to allow the amend
ment to be offered or spoken to by Mr.
Cox, who intimated that in the next
House he would have more privileges,
to whioh Mr. Tyner replied that he (Ty
ner) would not be there to see. [Laugh
ter.] The bill was then passed. Mr.
Cnx introduced a bill to carry out the
object indicated by him, and it
referred to the Post Offie Committee.
Phelps, of New Jersey, gave notice that
he would next Monday, if he got the
floor, move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill which he sought to intro
duce and pass to-day to repeal the press
gag law. The House then at 3 o’clock
adjourned. ,
Washington, Deoember 8, noon.—ln
the Senate a number of bills were intro
duced. Among them one by Senator
West providing for the entry of certain
lands in Louisiana, which was refeayed
to the Committee on Private Land
Claims.
House—Unimportant.
Washington, December 9, p. m.—ln
the Senate the type founders of various
cities protest against the reciprocity
treaty so far as regards type and type
material. A memorial of the Texas Pa
cific and the Atlantic and Pacific Rail
roads praying Congress to aid those
companies in the construction of their
roads was received. * In presenting the
memorial Senator Scott said it hud been
placed in his hands by a citizen of Penn
sylvania, who was President of the Texas
and Pacifio Road. The memorial was
accompanied by a bill which he (Scott)
had not examined for want of time. He
would present it to the Senate when in
order, holding himself free to approve
or reject it after examination The lum
ber men protest against tho reciprocity
treaty. The changes in committees are
unimportant. The select committees on
water routes to the sea and levees are
continued.
In the House the bill continuing the
Board of Audit of the District was
passed. In distributing the President’s
message that portion relating to the
troubles in Louisiana and other South
ern States was referred to a select com
mittee of seven. Mr. Thomas, of Vir
ginia,. introdaced a bill removing the
political disabilities of Edward Booker,
of Henrico county, Virginia, which was
passed.
The President Pardons South Caro
linians.
The President has granted, pardons to
be issued to-morrow, to John Whisonant
and Jerome Whisonant, of South Caro
lina, both convicted of Ku-Klux offenses,
and sentenced each to five years’ impris
ment at Albany and SIOO fine. They
have served two years of their term.
U. S. Supreme Court.
In the Alabama Claims Court to-day,
argument was resumed on case 87 as to
the character of damages, the counsel
for the Government taking the position
that the Court had no jurisdiction in
matters of personal injury by acts re
sulting from the capture of Confederate
cruisers. General Roberts spoke in op
position. The decision will be rendered
in a few days. Case 118, involving the
vuestion of citizenship, naturalization,
&c ; , will, with cases involving the same
points, be argued to-morrow. It is
probable that the hearing of cases will
commence regularly next week, after
the arguments on demurrers are closed.
The McDuffie Journal says tho gin
house of Mrs. E. F. Lamkiu, of Colum
bia county, containing eight bales of
cotton, was destroyed by fire Sunday
night, and that it was evidently the work
of an incendiary. And it further says :
“Now, if our next Legislature, in place
of spending their time and the people’s
cash in discussing and passing foolish
usury laws, will devise some means for
protecting our planters from this whole
sale destruction of property, from wlych
they suffer every year, and will enaot
some law by which the guilty scoundrels
shall be brought to the halter, they can
return to their constituents with a pon
sciousuess of having done at least one
valuable service for their conutry.” In
view of the extraordinary number of gin
honses wantonly burned by inoendiaries
the Dext Legislature will doubtless
change the present law, and make it a
capital crime, punishable by death. The
law against it is found in section 4,379
of the Code, and is as follows: “The
willful and malicious burning of an out
house of another, such as a barn, stable,
or any other honso (except the dwelling
house), on a farm or a plantation or
elsewhere (not in a city, town or village),
shall be punished by imprisonment and
labor in the penitentiaty for any term
not less thah two nor more than seven
years.”
ELECTRIC SPARKS.
The Grand Turk gave SIO,OOO for the
famine stricken of Angoria.
Darrel’s printing establishment, the
largest in France, was burned yesterday.
Loss, $30,000.
A large number of longshoremen have
resumed work at.New York, saying the
suffering of their families have claims
paramount to the Union.
Several persons dispensing drugs with
out , having pharmaceutical diplomas
were fined in Philadelphia.
Dudley S. Gregory, the first Mayor of
Jersey City, is dead, aged 75. He was
a member cf Congress in 1846.
A farmer named Klein was brutally
murdered and robbed on Monday night,
on the turnpike road, two miles from
Soranton, Pa., by six men who lay in
ambush far kirn.